Top - but we need to do better: Wayne Rooney sends message to Manchester United

Much like the scoreline in Braga on Wednesday night, the Champions League Group H table does not tell the whole story.

Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez celebrate their goals against Braga but it was another unconvincing performance by United

Much like the scoreline in Braga on Wednesday night, the Champions League Group H table does not tell the whole story.

United have secured their place in the knockout phase of the competition, racking up four straight wins to ensure top spot with two games to spare.

The last time Sir Alex Ferguson’s side managed such stats on Europe’s grandest stage, in 2007/08, they went on to lift the trophy.

To look at the table it would appear they have made minimum fuss of a group that should have posed few problems.

But looks can be deceiving.

Take the game at the Estadio Municipal on Wednesday, for instance. A 3-1 win suggests a comfortable night’s work against their Portuguese opposition.

Quite apart from contending with failing floodlights, how United managed to walk away with three points was a mystery to just about everyone.

Even assistant manager Mike Phelan expressed surprise that the Premier League leaders had found the back of the net three times. That after failing to mount a meaningful effort on goal before substitute Robin van Persie’s crucial equaliser with 10 minutes to go.

Wayne Rooney’s penalty four minutes later represented something of smash and grab, while Javier Hernandez’ strike at the death truly did make a silk purse out of what had largely been a sow’s ear of a performance.

Braga had every right to feel aggrieved after dominating the majority of the match, hitting the post in the first half and taking the lead through Alan’s penalty after half time.

It was the third time in this group that United have found themselves behind – previously recovering to win in Cluj and hitting Braga with another sucker punch when 2-0 down at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

Four straight wins, maybe. But Group H has been anything but straightforward.

While United’s enduring powers of recovery are remarkable, the number of times they have had to rescue results is of understandable concern to all at Old Trafford.

The next phase of the Champions League should prove nowhere near as forgiving.

But Europe is not the only environment in which United have endured something of a white-knuckle ride.

They have gone behind in six of their 10 Premier League games this season – losing on two of those occasions. Even last week’s one-sided victory against Arsenal was criticised by the manager, who bemoaned his side’s failure to win by a greater margin than a single goal.

Added to wins against Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea, which have elevated United to the top of the Premier League – and their success in Europe – neither Ferguson nor his players would appear to have too much to complain about.

In Van Persie they have the most lethal finisher in the country – even if his 11 goals in 14 games have papered over the defensive cracks.

There are clear signs of the Dutchman developing an impressive understanding with Rooney – so perhaps it should serve as a warning to their rivals when both the manager and his team insist United have yet to fully hit their stride.

Cliches are cliches because they are true – and a side that can find its way to victory when not at its best is usually among the reckoning when the prizes are handed out.

Rooney believes that has been a hallmark of United’s prolonged success.

“I think people have been saying that about us for the last six or seven years,” he said. “We know we are capable of playing better than we are but results are the most important thing.

“We’re happy with where we are. We know we can play better than this, but we’re happy we’re winning.

“We’re not happy when we concede goals. We need to be more solid as a team and make sure we get the first goal and we can kick on from there. Or if we have the lead, try and hold on to it. We will keep working hard and, hopefully, it will come good.”

Champions League qualification with so much to spare will give Ferguson the opportunity to rest many of his players and concentrate on domestic matters until after Christmas.

With Chris Smalling returning from a broken metatarsal on Wednesday and Phil Jones set to resume training following knee surgery, United’s squad is close to full strength.

Captain Nemanja Vidic is also due to return from knee surgery before Christmas – and with a full compliment of defenders Ferguson would expect his side to tighten up at the back. While he now has the luxury of putting Europe behind him – starting tomorrow against Aston Villa – the 70-year-old has made no secret of his desire to win a third Champions League trophy.Wayne Rooney: Robin van Persie is Manchester United’s new driving force

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